The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging that caste-based discrimination, sexual exploitation and untouchability are widespread in Bundelkhand area of UP, which is very backward. In the demography of the region, 53 percent are OBCs, 25 percents Scheduled Castes/Dalits, 10 percent tribals and 12 percent are Thakur and Brahmins who own land, but dominate others.

The Commission has issued notice to Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh calling for a report within four weeks into the allegations. It has also asked its Director General (Investigation) to send a Fact Finding Team.

Allegedly, a Dalit needs to take off his shoes and hold it in his hand, if a Thakur is approaching towards him. He has to do so while visiting a locality in the village inhabited by upper caste. The complainant, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of PVCHR, Varanasi, UP, has alleged that this practice is prevalent in several villages of District Lalitpur in the region.

He has also alleged that the women of the Balmiki community manually dispose off human faces and carcass of dead animals. Violence against women is rampant and during the last few years, a number of Sati deaths have been reported from the region. There have been cases of selling of daughters or wives to repay debts even as the sex-ratio is very adverse in the area.

The complainant has prayed for appropriate action against the system under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1995 and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Complain:

To,

Chairperson,

National Human Rights Commission.

New Delhi.

Sub: Atrocities of Schedule caste and Schedule tribe in Lalitpur of Bundelkhand in UP of India

Sir,

Greetings from PVCHR.

Bundelkhand is one of the most backward parts of the country with a large population of Other Backward Castes (53%), Scheduled Castes/Dalits (25%) and Tribals (10%).However, it is the remaining 12%, mainly Thakurs and Brahmins, who own land.

Three-fourths of the population relies on agriculture, which is mostly rainfed, for a livelihood. The lack of agricultural land, thus, is a principal reason for poverty. The poor soil quality, lack of irrigation facilities, erratic rainfall and, paradoxically, floods make agriculture a difficult occupation with poor returns in this region.

Caste-based discrimination, sexual exploitation and untouchability are widespread. Even today, women of the Valmiki community manually dispose of human faeces and the carcasses of dead animals. Violence against women is rampant with numerous cases of domestic violence and dowry deaths. A number of sati deaths have also been reported in the last few years, as have cases of selling daughters or wives to repay debts. The child sex ratio as per the Census 2011 (age group 0 to 6 years) in Bundelkhand is 899.53, far lower than the state average of 912 and country's 914.23. Infant mortality rate is also high — 93 in Panna; 80 in Damoh; 75 in Datia; 73 in Sagar and 72 in Chattarpur.

In Village Kalothara Block: Talbahet of Lalitpur in UP, If Thakur came in front ,then Dalit need to bring their shoes in hand. It is extreme form of atrocities of Schedule Caste people. According the Sahariya Jan Adhikar Manch, it is happen in few hundreds villages of Lalitpur.

Please take appropriate action under The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Secretary General of PVCHR, Varanasi, UP in a complaint dated 31.5.2013 stated that Bundelkhand area of UP is very backward and the demographic composition of population, in the area is OBC 53%, Scheduled Castes/Dalit 25% , Tribals 10% and the remaining 12% are Thakurs and Brahmins, who own land. Three Fourth of the population is depending of agriculture which is mostly dependent on rain water. Lack of agricultural land is a principal reason for poverty besides poor quality of soil, lack of irrigation facilities, erratic rain fall and floods. He has further stated that caste based discrimination, sexual exploitation and untouchability are wide spread. He alleged that women of the Valmiki community manually dispose of human faeces and carcasses of dead animals. Violence against women is rampant. There are number of sati deaths reported in the last few years. There have been cases of selling daughters or wives to repay debts. The sex ratio is also very adverse in the area. He further alleged that in village Kalothara, Block-Talbahet of Lalitpur in UP a Dalit needs to take his shoes in his hand, if a Thakur is approaching towards him. Similarly he has to hold his footwear in his hands while crossing a locality/area of the village which is inhabited by families belonging to the forward castes. He further stated that the practice is prevalent in several of villages of District Lalitpur. The complainant has prayed for appropriate action against the "system" under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Issue notice to Chief Secretary, Government of UP, Lucknow to submit a report within four weeks. In the meanwhile DG (I) is requested to get the facts investigated from the team which will be visiting Lalitpur in connection with Case

Ms. Reetika Khera of an NGO, Sahjani Shiksha Kendra (SSK) Lalitpur, UP in an E.mail complaint dated 16.5.2013 alleged that on 12.5.2013, five women human rights defenders of SSK were physically and verbally assaulted by a powerful person, while they were inaugurating an adult literacy centre for Dalit women in the Digwara village of Madawara Block of Lalitpur, UP. She further alleged that the human rights defenders of SSK were hit by lathis and sustained serious head and body injuries. Two of the injured were from Dalit community and two from the OBC community. She further alleged that culprits abused them in filthy and caste based language. An FIR has been registered in the matter u/s 323/504/506-IPC and provision of SC/ST Act. However, no further action has been taken by the police. The NGO met the Commission during its visit to Lucknow on 17.5.2013 and narrated the incident. Let a notice be issued to DGP, UP calling for a report within 15 days. In the meanwhile DG(I) is also requested to depute a team to conduct a spot enquiry into the matter and submit a report within 15 days.

No. 17732/24/47/2013.

Sir,Please organize special hearing for atrocities of Schedule Caste and Schedule tribes in Budelkhand region of UP and MP both.